Soccer is a game that is primarily played with your feet; therefore, your most important piece of soccer equipment is your footwear. A good pair of cleats, or boots as many people call them, is essential. There are variations of the basic soccer cleat designed for different skill levels, weather conditions, and field types.

Footwear for soccer depends on a number of factors: the level of your game, the types of fields you play on, and how much you want to spend. Most leagues require you wear the proper type of soccer cleat during play, so it is most important to understand which type you need.

Molded cleats

Basic soccer shoe design

Non-removeable rubber, or hard plastic formed on the bottom of the shoe is used to help provide traction and control

Ideal for beginning and intermediate level players

Suited for play on almost all field types and in all weather conditions

Required by many youth programs for safety reasons

Detachable cleats

Feature studs on the bottom that can be screwed on and off and be replaced easily

Cleats vary in length and are usually made of hard plastic or plastic with metal tips

The type and length of the studs can be changed depending on the weather and field conditions of that day's game or practice

Ideal for experienced players who can tailor the cleats to their playing field and weather conditions

Suitable for use on wet, soggy fields, or on well-groomed, soft grass fields

Turf shoes

Contain various raised patterns on the bottom in place of studs, for use on harder outdoor surfaces and on artificial turf

Generally good training shoes that could serve as a back-up game pair for hard-surface conditions

Indoor shoes

Resemble low-cut, lightweight sneakers

Designed for playing indoor soccer in a gym or recreational facility

Feature a flat, rubbery-type bottom for better traction on indoor courts and fields

Required by many indoor soccer facilities when playing on artificial turf, so the turf does not get torn up

Sandals

An important footwear add-on for all soccer players

Worn before the game to save wear on your soccer shoes

Easy to slip on and off when soccer socks and shin guards are on

Allow you to immediately remove your playing shoes after a game to rest your feet

Many sandals have special massage-type features for the bottom of the foot for added comfort

Soccer shoes are sized like regular shoes, but most are designed with a more narrow upper than typical sneakers to allow for better feel and control of the ball.

High-quality leather shoes will generally stretch a bit when worn. They will actually mold to the shape of your foot, so they should fit snugly when new.

Shoes that are too small are one of the major causes of foot pain and problems with athletic footwear; however, soccer cleats should naturally fit more snugly than other athletic shoes because of their design.

Determining your shoe size

Determining your proper shoe size is essential to a comfortable fit

Don't assume you shoe size is the same as it has always been. The shape of you feet changes over time.